I have greatly enjoyed one of your prints entitled “Allegory” 67/100 since the 1980’s. It has even been used over the years in my French classes while studying poems by Pierre Ronsard (carpe diem) in particular with the poem “A Mignonne” wherein a rose symbolizes the fleeting beauty of his mistress. It would be very interesting to find out your inspiration for such a beautiful print.
Thank you for sharing – “Allegory” is the only artwork I’ve ever completed in which the image came to me in a dream. I have no idea why or how, I just knew I had to do the drawing on the plate. I look forward to looking up Pierre Ronsard’s work, as I love poetry and sometimes let phrases from a poem inspire an image. Again, thank you!
Terri,
We purchased the woodcut, Rising Moon, dated May 1980 from the Pucker Gallery 30+ years ago.
We are donating the piece to the Tucson Medical Center Healing Art Program, to be permanently displayed at the hospital as part of a new program to populate the walls of the hospital with art.
Would it be possible for you to provide us with an estimated value of your woodcut?
Thanks
Thanks, Rita. i enjoyed seeing your new winter pastel. I’ve toyed with the idea of trying oil pastels for studies and sketching on location – do they ever dry? My first forays are still wet!
Yeah, that’s the down side to them. No, they really don’t ever dry…. at least not dry enough so that they don’t have to be framed under glass. It does bug me, but there are other qualities about them that I really love. And as of yet, I still haven’t been able to find a perfect medium so I guess they all have their pluses and minuses. Thanks for stopping by. ~Rita
On a lovely May morning, I somehow came across your blog and I have fallen in love with it. Your work is so beautiful and thoughtful. I look forward to many repeat visits to view and to read the text you kindly provide. Just reading your comments above are so interesting into how an artist works. I have a poetry blog and often use pictures for inspiration. Would you ever be willing to let me use a picture of yours on my blog or is that something you prefer not to do? In any event, I know these will inspire so many people in myriad ways.
Being a fan of poetry, how can I say no? Of course you can share a picture of my paintings, just give me a credit line with my blog address. In the meantime, happy writing. Teri
Hi Teri,
Long time follower and do enjoy your painting , and I would appreciate some advice. I am about to start painting, a hiatus since my college days, but I need some tiny amount of assistance
Is it possible to paint oil on paper or is canvas better.
Do I need to paint the canvas white and how, or can I just paint directly on to it.
Once the painting is finished do I need to treat it, before gifting it for long lifespan.
Thanks
Dear Samar,
I think you will enjoy getting back to painting. I’ve been thinking about your questions, and these are my thoughts. Yes, it is possible to paint on prepared paper – I myself often use watercolor paper (140 pound or greater) or scraps of neutral ph matboard for my studies and sketches. You can use acrylic gesso to prime the paper or a good coat of shellac – make sure to prime both sides, so the tension will be even and it won’t want to curl. The texture of the paper affects the way the paint will lie on the surface – rougher textured paper gives a coarser mark, while smoother papers allow the paint to glide onto the surface. Try some of each to see what you feel most comfortable with. I like to use push pins to attach my paper to a stiff board for painting at the easel – or you can use tape. When the painting is dry (if you use an alkyd medium it will speed the drying time), you can give it a light spray of final varnish, such as Golden’s final varnish for oil paintings – but make sure the paint is dry – this can take a few months to a year if the paint is thickly applied. Also, some colors dry quickly while others take forever – generally the earth colors dry quickly – oxides, ochres, siennas, umbers, even ultramarine. The cadmiums take a long time. Whites and most of the blues are in the middle, as are pthalocyanines. I use alkyd medium because I am essentially impatient.
As for the question about canvas – yes, it should be primed, and acrylic gesso (I like two coats) works very well for both oils or acrylics. In theory, you can use acrylics on unprimed canvas, but it seriously complicates cleaning the painting since the raw canvas will want to collect dirt and dust and may darken with time.
I hope this provides you with enough information to dive into painting. Have fun, do it a lot, and don’t judge your efforts for at least 2 or 3 months.
Teri Malo Studio 
I have greatly enjoyed one of your prints entitled “Allegory” 67/100 since the 1980’s. It has even been used over the years in my French classes while studying poems by Pierre Ronsard (carpe diem) in particular with the poem “A Mignonne” wherein a rose symbolizes the fleeting beauty of his mistress. It would be very interesting to find out your inspiration for such a beautiful print.
Thank you for sharing – “Allegory” is the only artwork I’ve ever completed in which the image came to me in a dream. I have no idea why or how, I just knew I had to do the drawing on the plate. I look forward to looking up Pierre Ronsard’s work, as I love poetry and sometimes let phrases from a poem inspire an image. Again, thank you!
Terri,
We purchased the woodcut, Rising Moon, dated May 1980 from the Pucker Gallery 30+ years ago.
We are donating the piece to the Tucson Medical Center Healing Art Program, to be permanently displayed at the hospital as part of a new program to populate the walls of the hospital with art.
Would it be possible for you to provide us with an estimated value of your woodcut?
Thanks
What a wonderful gift! Let me do a little research and get back to you on the value – is there a TM number on the back ?
Teri
Your paintings are fantastic! I am so glad I found your blog. I look forward to following it and seeing more from you!~Rita
Thanks, Rita. i enjoyed seeing your new winter pastel. I’ve toyed with the idea of trying oil pastels for studies and sketching on location – do they ever dry? My first forays are still wet!
Yeah, that’s the down side to them. No, they really don’t ever dry…. at least not dry enough so that they don’t have to be framed under glass. It does bug me, but there are other qualities about them that I really love. And as of yet, I still haven’t been able to find a perfect medium so I guess they all have their pluses and minuses. Thanks for stopping by. ~Rita
On a lovely May morning, I somehow came across your blog and I have fallen in love with it. Your work is so beautiful and thoughtful. I look forward to many repeat visits to view and to read the text you kindly provide. Just reading your comments above are so interesting into how an artist works. I have a poetry blog and often use pictures for inspiration. Would you ever be willing to let me use a picture of yours on my blog or is that something you prefer not to do? In any event, I know these will inspire so many people in myriad ways.
Being a fan of poetry, how can I say no? Of course you can share a picture of my paintings, just give me a credit line with my blog address. In the meantime, happy writing. Teri
Hi Teri,
Long time follower and do enjoy your painting , and I would appreciate some advice. I am about to start painting, a hiatus since my college days, but I need some tiny amount of assistance
Is it possible to paint oil on paper or is canvas better.
Do I need to paint the canvas white and how, or can I just paint directly on to it.
Once the painting is finished do I need to treat it, before gifting it for long lifespan.
Thanks
Dear Samar,
I think you will enjoy getting back to painting. I’ve been thinking about your questions, and these are my thoughts. Yes, it is possible to paint on prepared paper – I myself often use watercolor paper (140 pound or greater) or scraps of neutral ph matboard for my studies and sketches. You can use acrylic gesso to prime the paper or a good coat of shellac – make sure to prime both sides, so the tension will be even and it won’t want to curl. The texture of the paper affects the way the paint will lie on the surface – rougher textured paper gives a coarser mark, while smoother papers allow the paint to glide onto the surface. Try some of each to see what you feel most comfortable with. I like to use push pins to attach my paper to a stiff board for painting at the easel – or you can use tape. When the painting is dry (if you use an alkyd medium it will speed the drying time), you can give it a light spray of final varnish, such as Golden’s final varnish for oil paintings – but make sure the paint is dry – this can take a few months to a year if the paint is thickly applied. Also, some colors dry quickly while others take forever – generally the earth colors dry quickly – oxides, ochres, siennas, umbers, even ultramarine. The cadmiums take a long time. Whites and most of the blues are in the middle, as are pthalocyanines. I use alkyd medium because I am essentially impatient.
As for the question about canvas – yes, it should be primed, and acrylic gesso (I like two coats) works very well for both oils or acrylics. In theory, you can use acrylics on unprimed canvas, but it seriously complicates cleaning the painting since the raw canvas will want to collect dirt and dust and may darken with time.
I hope this provides you with enough information to dive into painting. Have fun, do it a lot, and don’t judge your efforts for at least 2 or 3 months.
Love your work!
Thank you Brett.
I have in my possession two of your paintings:
more or less I: print number 54 of 950
and
seafoam design II print number 113 of 950.
I want to know a little bit more information about them as I do not know much if anything about artwork besides how beautiful it is.
I don’t think the work you are describing was done by me. I’ve never done anything in an edition of 950. Good luck with your quest.